Sheffield victim of abuse ready to run 13 10ks in 2013

A BUSINESSMAN is gearing up for a fundraising challenge to thank the children’s charity which helped him cope after being abused as a youngster.

Richard Hayes, aged 30, is aiming to run not one, or two, but 13 10K races in 2013.

Any money he collects through sponsorship will boost the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children as Richard used to call the charity when he was a child suffering from physical and mental abuse.

The former Navy recruit who lives in north Sheffield, said: “When I was a child I relied on the NSPCC’s ChildLine a lot to help and for support.

“I’ve said to people that if it wasn’t for me being able to speak to them then I wouldn’t be here today – it was that little glimmer of hope that kept me going.

“Ever since I’ve wanted to say ‘thank you’ for what the charity did for me as a youngster.”

The challenge will see Richard, take on a different 10K race each month – with two scheduled for July – and came about after he lost four and a half stone.

Most of the events are in South Yorkshire and they include the Wrap Up and Run event in Sheffield in February plus events in Rotherham and Penistone.

There’s another twist – Richard will aim to beat his personal best time at every 10K.

Richard’s aim is to raise £2,013 for the NSPCC.

Richard, who runs his own web design business, has already collected more than £80.

He said: “I got the bug and did a couple of 10K runs before I thought of the challenge and it has just snowballed.” See 13 in thirteen to sponsor him.